Skiing in Europe with Kids: How to Plan an Unforgettable Adventure

By Amie O'Shaughnessy
October 30, 2025
7 Min Read

Skiing in Europe is a bucket-list adventure, and yes — it’s absolutely worth the long flight! Whether you’re drawn to the dramatic peaks of the Swiss Alps, the charming villages of Austria or the legendary slopes of France and Italy, skiing in Europe with kids offers a completely different experience from North America.

If you’re dreaming of a family ski trip in Europe, I’ll walk you through all the things you’ll want to think about and know as you plan.

A young skier carves down a snowy slope, wearing a green jacket, black pants, and blue ski boots with a black and pink helmet and reflective goggles. Snow sprays dramatically around the skier as they navigate the turn. Bare trees are visible in the misty background under falling snow. — Hitting the slopes in Europe delights young skiers, no matter their age or ability. Photo by Pexels on Pixabay

Tips for Skiing in Europe with Kids

Finding the Best Winter Flights to Europe

Flexibility is the key to finding the best airfare that gets you to the main European hubs. Geneva, Zurich, Munich and Milan are all excellent starting points for skiing in Europe. Once on the content, you can take a smaller connecting flight for the final leg of your trip, or add a bit of fun to your journey by traveling via train on Swiss Rail, which can easily get you to the top ski destinations in Austria, Germany, France and Italy. The trick is to find the best fare for the longest leg of your journey (example: NYC to Zurich) and then using local transportation options to get to your final destination.

Let’s break it down into simpler terms:

Train travel. Swiss Rail can connect you directly to many ski towns, and high-speed trains make it easy to hop between countries.

Budget airlines. Companies like EasyJet and Ryanair offer affordable regional flights if you want to get closer to your final destination.

Multi-city itinerary. Fly into one city and out of another to maximize your time on the slopes and explore more ski destinations throughout your trip.

Sit back, relax and leave the trip planning details to us.

Just send a quick request, and we’ll pair you with an expert Travel Advisor who can design and book your dream trip: a custom itinerary, private guides, immersive local experiences and handpicked hotels. Click to get started!

A group of skiers, including an adult in a red jacket with a backpack and several children in various colored jackets, stand at the top of a ski slope looking out at dramatic snow-covered Alpine peaks. In the background, jagged mountain summits rise against a blue sky with wispy clouds, while ski lifts and a mountain lodge are visible on the left side of the slope. Other skiers can be seen descending the groomed trails below. — Taking a breather in Courchevel, France. Photo by Piotr Figlarz on Unsplash

Choosing the Best Country for Your Family Ski Trip

All the main ski resorts in Europe have programs of some kind for children, but like all places, some are better than others. This is where the research and working with a knowledgeable Travel Advisor comes into play. To avoid being overwhelmed by all the options, choose the country you want to experience and then worry about where to ski.

If you aren’t sure which country is right for you, consider each country’s style:

Switzerland

Iconic mountain scenery, well-organized resorts, and impeccable ski schools (but expect premium prices).

Best for: picture-perfect ski villages and reliable snow

France

Huge interconnected ski areas with incredible terrain, plus it’s a great excuse to do a stopover in Paris on your way to or from the resort.

Best for: extensive ski-in/ski-out resorts with varied slopes

A ski lift station with a sign reading "HIER AUSSTEIGEN" (exit here) is shown with a chairlift passing overhead carrying passengers. Several skiers, including children wearing brightly colored ski pants in orange, blue, and black, are disembarking or walking near the lift station. Snow-covered mountain peaks are visible in the misty background behind the ski resort infrastructure. — Austria’s ski resorts are especially known for their excellent ski schools and kids’ programming. Photo by Maarten Duineveld on Unsplash

Austria

Classic alpine charm, great après-ski and fantastic ski schools.

Best for: affordability and a welcoming vibe

Italy

Stunning Dolomite landscapes, delicious food, and relaxed ski culture.

Best for: families who love great skiing with an even better culinary experience

Germany

Smaller, family-friendly resorts that are easy to navigate.

Best for: low-key, budget-friendly ski trips

TIP: If you have one week, pick one country. If you have two weeks, you can explore a second European ski destination.

A chairlift carries skiers in brightly colored gear up a high-altitude mountain slope, with the lift cables and multiple chairs visible stretching into the distance. Below lies a vast snow-covered bowl or glacier surrounded by dramatic Alpine peaks under a blue sky with white clouds. The barren, treeless terrain indicates the extreme elevation of this ski area, with mountain ranges visible across multiple horizons. — Spectacular scenery surrounds the ski lifts in Val Thorens, France. Photo by Urban Sanden on Unsplash

Booking a Ski Package vs. DIY Planning

Skiing in Europe can be logistically complex, which is why many families opt for ski package holidays that include lodging, lift tickets, meals, and even childcare. These packages can save time and money. However, I’ve found that many of these bundles are not tailored for families, particularly those with young children who are too young to ski or need a childcare/ski lesson combination. We do partner with a few operators that offer specific family programming and packages, though; reach out to our Travel Advisor team to help you find the right match.

If you are planning on your own, make sure your resort offers the right amenities for your family, especially ski schools, childcare and beginner-friendly slopes. Chat with your Advisor to make sure your preferred resort has the amenities you need and you are getting all the perks it offers.

A tranquil alpine lake reflects snow-covered peaks and a cloudy sky, with large letters spelling "CRANS MONTANA" installed along the snowy shoreline. Traditional Swiss chalet-style buildings and hotels line the water's edge, framed by evergreen trees dusted with snow and some golden autumn foliage. Dramatic mountain ranges rise in the background under misty clouds, creating a scenic winter resort landscape. — Crans-Montana is an excellent choice for families who want a Swiss ski experience. Photo by Artiom Vallat on Unsplash

Picking the Right Family-Friendly Ski Resort

While famous resorts like Zermatt, Chamonix and Verbier are spectacular, they can also be huge and overwhelming to navigate, which isn’t always ideal for families. There are many small and medium-size resorts in Europe that you may not have heard of but are still fantastic with and without children. Remember: Never judge quality based on name recognition.

For me, the size doesn’t make these resorts any less kid-friendly; it just takes more time and effort to get around. This is why, if we opt for a larger resort, we usually choose to stay in a full-service hotel with the staff and services that make navigation a breeze. For this reason, we recommend an array of amazing kid-friendly ski hotels and resorts on Ciao Bambino that work perfectly for independent travel.

If you are looking for a smaller ski resort experience, consider a few of my favorite destinations:

Crans-Montana, Switzerland. Fantastic beginner zones, great ski schools and sunny slopes. As of the 2024-25 season, it is also part of the Vail Resorts EPIC Pass.

Mürren, Switzerland. A charming car-free village with amazing scenery and easy runs for kids.

Alta Badia, Italy (Dolomites). Great food, gentle slopes and stunning views.

Val Thorens, France. The highest ski resort in Europe, offering tons of kid-friendly slopes.

Davos, Switzerland. A massive resort, but with well-developed family zones and ski schools.

A young child wearing a white helmet, orange and navy jacket, and blue ski pants holds onto a red rope tow while learning to ski on a beginner slope. Colorful training equipment including cones, hoops, and markers are scattered across the groomed snow surface behind the child. Evergreen trees line the gentle slope in the background, with ski trail markers visible on the right side of the image. — A little skier ascends the bunny slope with a rope tow. Photo by Kajetan Sumila on Unsplash

Ski Lessons: What to Expect in Europe

Ski lessons in Europe run very differently than they do in the United States. Some resorts offer only weeklong options and no standalone weekend lessons.It’s critical to ensure you understand the ski lesson set up in your target area before booking your trip!

Many resorts have a mix of options, including official country ski schools (like the Swiss Ski School) and independent English-speaking ski schools (like Altitude Ski School in Verbier or Summit Ski School in Zermatt).

The main thing to think about is the infrastructure you need for the age and ability of your kids. For example, larger resorts like Davos have very developed family-focused features, including dedicated play zones for young kids. Resorts like Crans-Montana that specifically cater to families differentiate runs based on age and ability; Crans-Montana also has an incredible standalone beginner zone away from all those scary fast skiers.

A person wearing black pants stands in black snowshoes with blue bindings and straps on packed snow. Trekking poles are visible on either side, and another snowshoe is partially visible in the upper right corner. Multiple footprints and snowshoe tracks are impressed in the white snow surface around the person's feet. — Snowshoeing offers a welcome break from skiing (or outdoor fun for non-skiers). Photo by Chewool Kim on Unsplash

Beyond Skiing: Other Winter Activities

Not everyone in the family may want to ski all day, every day. Luckily, European ski resorts offer plenty of off-the-slopes fun, including:

Sledding and toboggan runs. Many resorts have thrilling sledding trails (Zermatt has one that’s 10 km long).

Snowshoeing and winter hiking. A great way to take in the scenery.

Ice skating and indoor pools. Most larger resorts have rinks or pools for non-skiers.

Alpine spas and wellness centers. Lots of hotels have incredible spa facilities with heated outdoor pools overlooking the mountains.

Après-ski and mountain dining. Many European ski resorts have mountain-top restaurants serving gourmet meals with breathtaking views—so take time to enjoy long, scenic lunches!

A family ski trip to Europe takes some planning, but the reward is an unforgettable escape filled with stunning scenery, world-class skiing and a totally different family experience. Whether you’re carving down the slopes of Switzerland, savoring Italian cuisine in the Dolomites after a long day of snowboarding/skiing, enjoying mountain-side après-ski in France or exploring Austria’s cozy ski villages, there’s something truly special about skiing in Europe with kids.

Relevant Links:

Get all tips and ideas for family ski vacations on Ciao Bambino

The most tempting luxury family ski vacations in Europe

Skiing the Dolomites on a guided ski safari

Swiss bliss: The best of Zermatt in winter and summer

The 8 best ski resorts for spring break

From toddlers to teens: Best family ski resorts for all ages

Editor’s note: This post was accurate when published. We advise checking independently for the latest information and updates. Ciao Bambino does not accept responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in, or for any actions taken based on, the information presented.

Airfare Lessons Preferred Family

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By Amie O’Shaughnessy

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1 Comments

Gracie says:

12 years ago at 4:35 pm

We’ve got a trip planned this spring. we’ve only skied in the western US so I’m excited! I found another great resource that helped us save a bunch when we were planning our trip, http://www.betterreservations.com. They had listings from all the big search engines in one place and it made it so easy to find what we needed without all the back and forth between different sites.

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